Recognizing Prince Hall for his contributions as a Revolutionary Era activist, Masonic leader, and his lasting impact in the African-American fight for justice.
H. Res. 1413 is a resolution honoring Prince Hall, an 18th-century free Black man from Boston who became a pioneering activist and Masonic leader. The resolution recognizes Hall's significant contributions during the American Revolutionary period, including his role as an abolitionist and his founding of African Lodge #1 in 1775 after being denied membership at a white-only Masonic lodge, earning him the title "Father of Black Freemasonry." The resolution highlights Hall's advocacy work, including his 1777 petition to abolish slavery in Massachusetts, his 1787 Boston Plan for African American resettlement in Africa, and his 1788 efforts to protect Black sailors from kidnapping. The resolution notes that Prince Hall Freemasonry remains one of the oldest continuously active organizations founded by African Americans, with over 5,000 lodges and 47 grand lodges tracing their lineage back to Hall's original lodge. This resolution is a symbolic recognition of Hall's lasting legacy in the fight for African American justice and civil rights.
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